[J-Pop] A Collection of Japanese Songs with Difficult/Technical Guitar Parts [2026]
Guitarists who breeze through technical playing… so cool, right?
If you’ve found your way to this article, chances are you’ve been blown away by jaw-dropping tapping, cutting, or sweeping at some point.
This time, we’ve put together a list of Japanese songs with seriously challenging guitar parts.
From power-packed tunes by rock bands to acoustic numbers by solo guitarists, we’ve picked a wide range!
Will you discover that one track that hits you right in the heart?
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[Japanese Music] A Collection of Japanese Songs with Difficult/Technical Guitar Parts [2026] (21–30)
Fight SongEVE
Released in December 2022 as the ending theme for episode 12 of the TV anime Chainsaw Man, this track is characterized by its exhilarating guitar sound and powerful vocals.
Its combination of complex chord progressions and a fast tempo makes the high level of performance difficulty stand out.
Built around B-flat minor, the arrangement makes extensive use of tension chords and demands precise execution of techniques such as hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides.
In addition to the buzz from its anime tie-in, it drew attention as one of Eve’s signature songs, debuting at No.
26 on Billboard JAPAN’s JAPAN HOT 100.
It’s a perfect pick for those looking to hone their guitar technique or take on an emotional, high-energy piece.
crimsonX JAPAN
The third single by X JAPAN, a five-member rock band that helped bring metal—still not quite mainstream in Japan at the time—to wider recognition.
Beginning with majestic strings and shifting into an aggressive metal sound, its dramatic arrangement created a new set of values for a genre that had often been seen as merely intense.
The beautifully technical guitar work—blistering palm-muted rhythm parts, melodious twin-lead guitars, and a thrilling solo—surely captivated many listeners.
Even today, it stands as a timelessly polished rock tune that influenced the rock scene within J-pop.
CallingB’z
The 22nd single by the rock duo B’z, who have broken numerous records in CD sales and continue to assert their presence through energetic live tours.
This song was used as the theme for the TV drama series “Glass Mask,” and it also garnered attention in 2021 when a studio live video was released during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The emotional guitar solo that interplays with the vocals like a call-and-response is striking for its Takahiro Matsumoto–esque tone, which relies not only on techniques like fast picking.
The seemingly free-flowing, emotion-driven phrases elevate the track, making it a rock number that would be difficult to perfectly replicate.
St. Elmo’s fireBUMP OF CHICKEN
A four-piece rock band, BUMP OF CHICKEN, whose songs continue to influence countless bands and maintain a commanding presence in the J-POP rock scene.
This track is included on their major 4th album, COSMONAUT, and did you know that the title St.
Elmo’s Fire refers to the phenomenon in which the tips of a ship’s masts glow during bad weather at sea? The rapidly unfolding guitar phrases—high-speed arpeggios, delicate cutting, and fast-paced riffs—are undeniably cool.
It’s a number packed with the allure of rock guitar, letting you enjoy a variety of sounds and approaches within a single song.
SmokyChar
A song by Char, the male singer-songwriter who has remained a leading figure among Japanese guitarists since his solo debut in 1976.
Included on his first album, “Char,” it is known as one of his signature tunes despite never being released as a single or tied to any promotion.
From the memorable opening riff that uses off-beat accents, the intro unfolds into a bluesy guitar solo—still captivating many guitar enthusiasts today.
The rhythmic cutting played alongside his emotional vocals is another highlight, making this a must-hear track for guitarists.
Convergent RaysUnlucky Morpheus
This track is striking for its sound where ultra-virtuosic twin guitars intertwine with a passionate violin—a quintessential symphonic metal number from Unlucky Morpheus.
The sonic landscape combined with Fuki’s piercing high-tone vocals generates an overwhelming sense of speed.
The lyrics convey a strong will and resolve to aim for a single victory, as if holy light converges to one point.
This work will be included on the album “Gate of Heaven,” slated for release in November 2025, and has been chosen as the theme song for the M.League team KADOKAWA Sakuraknights.
Listen to it when you’re striving toward your goals, and it will surely empower you.
Punishment9mm Parabellum Bullet
A four-piece rock band, 9mm Parabellum Bullet, whose music fuses aggressive sounds like metal, punk, and hardcore, has been electrifying audiences mainly on the live circuit.
Thanks to its inclusion in the arcade game Taiko no Tatsujin, many people who aren’t necessarily rock fans may have heard it.
It kicks off with rapid-fire cutting from the intro, and the tight, palm-muted backing drives the track forward.
A thrilling guitar solo further cranks up the tension—it’s a rock tune that blasts through in under three minutes.